In Vitro Evidence for Role of ERK, p38, and JNK in Exocrine Pancreatic Cytokine Production

Elucidation of mechanisms of acinar cell cytokine production is essential for a better understanding of acute pancreatitis pathogenesis. We hypothesize that the stress kinases ERK, p38, and JNK play an important role in acinar cell cytokine production. Rat pancreatic fragments were incubated with 100 nM concentration of the cholecystokinin analog caerulein or 100 nM caerulein and specific ERK inhibitor (100 μM PD98059), specific p38 inhibitor (10 μM SB203580), or specific JNK inhibitor (20 μM SP600125). After 3 hours of caerulein treatment, pancreatic fragments were homogenized and assayed for total and phosphorylated ERK, p38, and JNK, and for tumor necrosis factor-α or interleukin-1β concentrations (ELISA). Pancreatic fragments stimulated with caerulein showed activation of ERK, p38, and JNK and increased cytokine concentrations (ANOVA, P < 0.05). Specific stress kinase inhibitors significantly attenuated caerulein-induced activation of the corresponding stress kinase and cytokine production; however, the effect of the JNK inhibitor was comparatively less convincing. Increased activation of ERK, p38, and JNK in pancreatic fragments was not associated with significant increases in total ERK, total p38, or total JNK concentrations. The stress kinases ERK and p38 play an important role in caerulein-stimulated exocrine pancreatic overproduction of cytokines. The role of JNK needs further evaluation in this experimental model.